Coiling block



cs. WINTERS Jan. 1, 1935.

GOILING BLOCK Filed June '7, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENZ'OR idrdner'zmmm:

Jan. 1, 1935.

G. WINTERS COILING BLOCK Fi led 'Ju ne '7, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 TTORNEY 6. L. WINTERS coILING BLOCK.

Janfl, 1935.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 7, 1933 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES COILING BLOCK Gardner L. Winters, Dormont, Pa, asslgnor to Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh,

Pa., acorporation of 'Penmylvania Application June '1, 1933, Serial No. 674,654)v 16 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for coiling metal, andparticularly to apparatus for coiling thin strips or sheets of metal as they are delivered from a rolling mill or other device. The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved collapsible coiling block or reel for strips of metal or othermaterial. The construction by which I obtain the desired result, and other objects thereof, will be more readily understood from the following description when considered with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view showing a rewind or coiling assembly comprising one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, of a preferred form of coiling block and a drive shaft therefor;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the 'block in expanded position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the block in collapsed position;

Fig. 6 is a view from the interior of the block,

A partially in section, showing the link mechanism which forms an important partof the block, the block being in expanded position;

Fig. '1 is a view taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is an end view of the block in collapsed position, with the cover plate removed; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line VIV-VIV of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is an external view showing a portion of the block with the link mechanism in collapsed position; I i

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing a portion of the link mechanism when the block is in expanded position; Fig. 12 is a top plan view of one of the link members;

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of members;

Fig. 14 is an enlargedse'ctional view similar to 15 Fig. 4 but showing a modified form of block comprising another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of the block shown in F18. 14;

Fig. 16 is an end view of a modified form of the blocksliown in Fig. 14. with a portion of the cover broken away; and

Figs. 17 and 18 are enlarged sectional views of modified forms of parts of the mechanism shown inFigs.9and 15. Referring further to one of the link the drawing in which similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout, the numeral 1 designates the improved coiling block or reel, which is rigidly and securely attached to a rotatable hollow drive shaft 3, preferably by forming part of the block integrally with the'drive shaft. The drive shaft and reel are driven by any suitable means such as a motor (not shown) connected to a shaft 5 which is ,operatively connected with the drive shaft 3 by a suitable speed-reducing mechanism 7 or other means. The shaft 3 is preferably hollow and may be a steel casting or forging, and is preferably provided with a slot or key-way 8 (Fig. 3) to facilitate attachment of a drive gear forming part of the speed-reducing mechanism '1.

A longitudinally slidable shaft 9 extends through the hollow shaft 3 mounted'in suitable v bearings, and controls the mechanism by which the reel or-block is expanded and collapsed, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. The slide shaft 9 is moved longitudinally by a suitable actuating device, which may conveniently be a piston operated by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure in a cylinder-10 mounted on a frame or support attached to the housing of the gear mechanism I. The piston may be directly connected to the shaft 9, but for safety and economy in fioor space it is preferable to have its line of action perpendicular to that of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 2, for example. The piston then acts through a toggle or crank lever 11 to actuate the sliding shaft 9. The lever 11 or some other part of the slide shaft 9 or its actuating mechanism is provided with a suitable stop mechanism 6 to limit the motion of the shaft. 35

The reel or coiling block 1 consists of a body portion 12 which is cast integrally with or otherwise securely attached to the drive shaft 3 in fixed I position with respect to the axis of rotation thereof, two oscillatory segments 13 attached at one edge to the body portion12 by pivot pins or shafts 14, about which they are rotatable or oscillatable, and pivotally attached at their opposite edges to interleaving link members 15 which complete the smooth cylindrical outer surface when the block is in the expanded position shown in Figs. 4, 7, 9, 11 and 15, for example. Within the space enclosed by these elements are auxiliary devices for expanding and collapsing the block and for enaging the sheet or strip 'to be coiled thereby, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The main or. body portion 12 of the block is preferablya steel casting and has a portion or portions 16 forming part of the outer surface of the block and longitudinal webs extendin in- M wardly therefrom and forming a support or housing 17 for a mechanism 18 adapted to grip the sheet or strip to be coiled, as shown in Figs. 9 and 15, and elsewhere. The web or webs extending inwardly from the surface-forming portions 16 of the block body member 12 also form a substantially centrally disposed support or guide 19 for the sliding shaft 9. This guide 19 preferably opens on one sideinto a radial passage 20 between continuations of the webs, this passage serving as a guide for a link-actuating member 21. Lugs 22 on the outer surface of the central support 19, and fillets 23 in the turn of the web.

at the end of the passage 20, may be provided as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and are drilled to engage studs or bolts 24 for securing an end cover 25in place. The center support or guide 19 may be provided with a brass bushing or liner 26 to minimize friction with the shaft 9, if desired.

Each oscillatory segment 13 of the block is also preferably of cast steel, and is preferably provided with one or more stifiening or reenforcing ribs 27 extending circumferentially of the block on its inner surface. The bosses or other attaching means which engage the pivot pins 14 to secure the oscillatory segments to the body member 12 may have externalsurfaces of increasing curvature complementary to the curvature of the feathered edge of the sockets in the body member in which they "turn, as shown in Figs. 9 and 15, for example; or they may be provided with shoulders 28 abutting complementary shoulders on the surface-forming portions 16 of the body member 12, as shown in Fig. 18. In either case a smooth outer surface is provided at the point of attachment. -The edges of the oscillatory segments to which the links 15 are attached are provided with alternate recesses and tooth-like projections 29. The links 15 arepivotally mounted in the recesses by a pivot rod or pin 30 extending alternately through a link 15 and a projection 29, as shown best in Figs. 6 and 11. The recesses and projections on theoppositely disposed segments 13 are in staggered relation, as shown in Fig. 10, whereby the links attached to the two segments interleave'as shownbest in Fig. 6. The recesses in the edge of the oscillatory segments, and the ends of the links pivoted therein, may have surfaces of complementary curvature, as shown in Figs. 9 and 15, or may be provided with shoulders 34 adjacent the outer surface, which ia but when the block is expanded, as shown in The shape of the individual link members 15 is best shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The end of the link which is pivoted to the oscillatory segment of the block is thicker than the other end. and both ends are provided with openings adapted to engage hinge pins or pivot rods, which may be provided with brass bushings or other frictionreducing bearings if desired. The openings in the thicker ends of the links engage the pivot 'rods 30, as previously described, and the free thinner ends of the links attached to-both oscillatory segments 13 are interleaved to bring the openings'therein into alignment for insertion of a common pivot rod 31, as shown in Figs. 6 and 11, for example. Each link is provided with an arcuately tapered shoulder-like projection 32 extending from the thicker end of the link parallel with and adjacent to the thinner end and adjacent to the curved external side of the link, and terminating on or near a plane extendingradially from the center of the block through the center of the pivot 31 when the block is expanded, as

shown in Fig. 17, for example. In this plane the projecting shoulder 32 on the link abuts or adjoins the projection 29 on the oppositely disposed oscillatory segment to form an externally smooth joint in the cylindrical surface of the block. The edges of the projections 29 and 32 may be complementarily tapered to overlie and form the joint, or may be provided with flat or stepped edges which abut to form the, joint. Each link preferably has one plane side extending transversely of the block and perpendicular to the curved surface, and a rectilinear side parallel with said plane side but stepped to form the shoulder-like projection 32.

As shown best in Fig. 6, the links 15 attached to the oppositely disposed oscillatory segments interleave in pairs, each pair consisting of a link.

from each set positioned adjacent and in slidable contact with one another on the pivot 31. Between the pairs of links are socket-like spaces around the pivot rod 31, the outer limits of these spaces being defined by the curved internal surfaces of the shoulders or projections 32 on the links and of the edge projections 29 on the oscillatory segments, as shown in Figs. 6, 15 and 1'7, for example. Drilled or otherwise apertured extensions or bosses 33 attached to the link-actuating member 21, or formed integrally therewith, extend into the said socket-like spaces and engage the pivot rod 31 therein, to provide opera tensions 33 extend outward from the closed side or web of the channel- The member 21 is connected to the sliding shaft 9 by toggle members or links 35, which are pivotally'attachedat one end to the channel-shaped body of the link-actuating member 21 by pivot pins 36, and at the other end to the shaft 9 by pivot pins 33 or the like. The shaft 9 is slotted longitudinally as indicated at 40, or milled or otherwise provided with diametrically extending recesses in which are pivotally mountetlthe ends of the toggle links 35. Solid sections 42 may be provided in the opening 40 between the mountings for pivots 38, to reinforce the recessed portion of theshaft 9,

'if desired, and these sections or projections 42 may be integral with the shaft, or may be initially separate parts inserted and suitably secured in place. When the shaft 9 is moved longitudinally, the applied force acts through the toggle links 35 on the link-actuating member 21, which is restrained from longitudinal movement. The tog le links 35 therefore turn on their pivots 36 and 38 from the substantially radial position shown in Fig. 4 to the inclined position shown in Fig. 5, or vice versa, and exert radial force on the actuating member 21. is transmitted through the extensions 33 to the pivot shaft 31 and thence to the links 15, causing the block to expand or collapse.

The gripping mechanism 18 for engaging the end of the strip or sheet-to be coiled may be manually operated, but is preferably arranged to automatically engage the strip when the block is expanded, and to release it when the block is collapsed. This result is conveniently obtained by controlling the operation of the gripping mechanism 18 by connecting it with the link-actuating member 21. For this purpose, a curved extension or arm 47 may be provided on the outer end of the link-actuating member, as shown in This force I Figs. 4, 5,-'! and 8. A preferred type of gripping mechanism comprises a pair of jaw members 49 with cam-like ends mounted adjacent a longitudinally extending opening 50 through-the surface of the block, the opening being preferably substantially in the center of the surface-forming part 16 of the body portion 12 of the block. The jaw-members are pivotally supported within the housing 17 in the block body member 12, as indicated at 51. Movement of the jaw members 49, or of the pivot shafts 51 to which they are preferably securely attached, is eflected and controlled by-link members 53 forming part of a toggle mechanism operated by the arm 47 of the link-actuating member 21. The links 53 are firmly attached at one end to the jaw members 49' or the pivots 51 or both, and at their other ends they are pivotally or otherwise connected to a spring 55 or other suitable device tending to rotate the jaw members 49 into the gripping or engaging position, as shown in Fig. '1. Intermediate their ends, the links 53 are provided with pivots 56, or equivalent studs or bolts. Another pair of links 57, which complete the toggle arrangement by which the gripping mechanism is operated, are pivotally connected at 58'to the arms 47 on member 21. The other or unpivoted ends of the links 57 are slotted as indicated at 60 to slidably engage the pivots 56 on the links 53. The slots 60 and the spring 55 ma ke it possible to automatically engage strips or sheets of varying thickness with the mechanism 18,as will now be readily understood.

If preferred, the automatic gripping mechanism described hereinabove may be omitted from thecoiling block, and the manually-operated mechanism shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16 may be substituted therefor. In that case, the block itself and the link-actuating member 21 are con.-

structed and operated as previously described,-

but the arm 47 is omitted, and the gripping mechanism operatesindependently of the expanded or collapsed condition of the block. The gripping mechanism then consists of one or two jaw members or cams 49- mounted on pivot pins or rods 51 adjacent an opening'50 through the circumferential surface of the block, as before. When only a single jaw member 49 is employed, as shown in Fig. 16, it is preferable to provide an opposing anvil or wear-resisting insert '70 in the opening 50. Securely attached to the jaw member or members 49, or to the shaft or shafts 51-, are gear segments 71, by which the jaw members are operatively connected with a counter shaft or shafts '72 provided with gears 73in mesh with the toothed segments'll, and in mesh with each other when two such shafts are employed. A shaft 72 is provided with a squared end 75 or equivalent means for applying force, as by a crank, to cause the gripping mechanism to engage or disengage the end of a strip or sheet of metal.

With either the manually-operated or the automatic type of gripping mechanism, it ispreferable to chamfer or bevel the outer edge of the opening 50 over which the first turn of material passes, to prevent marking the successive layers of metal reeled thereon.

The operation of my improved coiling block with the automatic gripping mechanism will now be described. With the block of reel stationary -and'in the collapsed position shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the end of the strip or sheet to be coiled is inserted through the opening 50 between the jaw members 49 of the gripping mechanism 18. The

sliding center shaft 9 is moved farther into the block 1 (to the left in the drawings) as by the application of pneumatic pressure to a piston in the cylinder 10, causing the connecting links 35 to rotate about their pivots 36 and 38 into the radial position shown in Fig. 4, where the motion is stopped by the stop 6 or other suitable means. This motion of the toggle links 35 forces the linkactuating member 21 outwardly, and the force acting through the bosses 33 on the member 21 and through the shaft 31, on the ends of :the links 15, causes these linksto rotate outwardly about their pivots 30, and also causesthe oscillatory segments 13 to swing outwardly, thus bringing the block to the expanded position shown in Figs. 4, land-9. Simultaneously with the expansion of the block, actuating member 21 moves in a substantially diametrical path, which is downward as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This relieves the pressure exerted by the slotted ends 60 of the links 57 on the pivot pins 56 attached to the links 53, and'allows the spring 55 to bring members 49 into gripping position, as shown in Fig. 7. Tension on the sheet to be coiled tightens the grip of the jaw members 49, and the block may be rotated until the desired amount of sheet or stripv material has been coiled upon its surface. Rotation of the reel is then stopped, and the sliding shaft 9 is caused to move to the right. This causes the links 35 to rotate into an inclined position and to pull the link-actuating member 21 radially inward toward the axis of .rotation of the block andthis inwardly actuating radial force is transmitted through the bosses 33 and the shaft 31 tot-he links 15 and the oscillatory segments 13, returning the block to the collapsed position, Simultaneously, the extension arm 47 on the link-actuating member 21 actsthrough the pivots 58 to push the links 5'7 outwardly, and this force is transmitted through the pins 56 to the links 53, causing them to rotate the jaw members 49 about pivots 51 to release the end of the sheet or strip. The coil may then be withdrawn from the block in known manner. It will be readily understood that the operation of the block ,with the manually-controlled gripping mechanism is identical with that just described, except that the engagement and releasing of'the metal strip or sheet must be effected manually at the proper time. 7

While my invention has been described and illustrated hereinabove with special reference to certain embodiments thereof which are now preferred, it'is to be understood that it is not limited to the specific forms described and may be otherwise embodied without departing from the spirit of my invention, within the scope of the appended claims. 7.

I claim:

1. In a block for coiling strips of metal or the like, a body portion fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of said block, a pair of oscillatory segments, each pivotally connected at one edge to said body portion and at the opposite edge, to interconnected link members, said body portion, oscillatory segments, and link members being adapted to form externally a substantially smooth cylindrical coiling surface, and means enclosed thereby and movable in a plane perpendicular to the directionof rotation of said block operatively connected to said link members for expanding and collapsing said block.

a 2. In a block for coiling sheet metal or the like, a body portion fixed with respect to the axis of the extension 47 on the linkthe links 53 and the jaw rotation of said block, oscillatory segments pivotally joined at one edge to said body portion and interconnected at the opposite edge by link members pivotally attached to said oscillatory segments and to a pivot member common to all of said link members, and actuating mechanism within the block mounted for oscillation in a plane perpendicular to the direction of rotation of said block and connected with said pivot member and adapted to impart radial movement thereto, whereby the block is expanded and collapsed.

3. In a block for coiling sheet metal or the like, a body portion fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of said block, a pair of oscillatory segments, each pivotally connected at one edge to said body portion and interconnected at the opposite edge by link members pivotally attached to said oscillatory segments and to a pivot member common to all of said link members, an actuating member within the block and connected with said pivot member, a shaft mounted substantially axially within the block for movement longitudinally thereof, and means operatively connecting said shaft with said actuating member and adapted to impart radial movement to the actuating member when the shaft is moved longitudinally of the block.

4. In a collapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the like, a body portion fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of said block, a pair of oscillatory segments pivotally connected to said body portion in symmetrical relation thereto, a series of link members pivotally connected with each oscillatory segment and pivotally connected with the other series by a common pivot rod,

said link members being adapted to cooperate with 1 the oscillatory segments and the body portion to form a substantially smooth cylindrical outer surface when the block is expanded, an actuating member disposed within the block adjacent said pivot rod and connected thereto, a slidable shaft mounted within the block for movement longitudinally thereof, and a plurality of toggle links pivotally connected at one end to said shaft and at the other end to said actuating member and adapted to impart radial movement to the actuating member when the shaft is moved longitudinally, whereby radial force is applied to the said pivot rod and the block is expanded oncollapsed.

5. In a collapsible block for coiling strips of sheet metal or the like, a body portion having a longitudinal opening therein, oscillatory segments pivotally connected to said body portion, link members pivotally connected to said segments and adapted to complete the smooth cylindrical outer surface of the'block when in expanded position, jaw members within the block adjacent said longitudinal opening and means associated therewith for causing said jaw members to engage the end of a strip of. metal-extending inwardly through said opening, actuating means mounted for oscillation'in a plane perpendicular to the direction of rotation of said block for applying substantially radial force to said link members to expand or collapse the block, and means connecting said actuating means with the said jaw members for disengaging the jaw members when the block is collapsed.

6. A collapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising abody portion fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of the block and forming part of the surface thereof and having integrally formed longitudinal webs extending in-' wardly fromthe surface and forming a hollow support disposed substantially axially within the block, a pair ofoscillatory segments pivotally attached at one edge to said body portion in symmetrical relation to the surface-forming part thereof and connected at their opposite edges to link members pivotally attached thereto and interconnected by a pivot shaft common to all of the link members, said segments and link members being adapted to cooperate with the body portion to form a substantially smooth cylindrical surface when the block is expanded, and a shaft mounted for longitudinal movement in said hollow support in the body portion and operatively connected with the said pivot shaft to impart radial motion thereto, whereby the block is expanded and collapsed.

7. A collapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising a body portion forming part of the surface of the block and having a longitudinal opening adapted to receive the end of a strip of metal to be coiled on the block, integrally formed longitudinal webs extending inwardly from the surface-forming part of the body portion and defining a housing adjacent the said opening, oscillatory segments pivotally attached to said body portion and interconnected by link members which cooperate with said segments and body portion to form a substantially smooth cylindrical coiling surface when the block is expanded, means movable in a plane perpendicular to the direction of rotation of said block and connected with said link members for expanding and collapsing the block, and means mounted in said housing adjacent the opening in the surface of the block for engaging the end of a strip to be coiled on the block.

8. A collapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the, like, comprising a body portion forming a part of the surface of the block and having an opening through the surface-forming part extending longitudinally substantially on the center line thereof and having integrally formed longitudinal webs extending inwardly from said surface-forming part to form a housing adjacent said opening and a hollow supporting frame extending longitudinally and substantially axially of the block, a pair of like oscillatory segments, each pivotally attached at one edge to said body portion and in symmetrical relation to the surface-forming part thereof and having a series of link members pivotally attached to its opposite edge, the link members of both series being connected to a common pivot shaft and being adapted to cooperate with said segments and said body portion to form a substantially smooth cylindrical surface when the block is expanded, gripping means mounted in said housing adjacent the opening in the block surface for engaging the end of a strip to be coiled, a shaft mounted in said hollow supporting frame for longitudinal movement therein and operatively connected to said common pivot shaft to impart radial motion thereto, whereby the block is expanded and collapsed, and means connecting said shaft and said gripping means for controlling the action of said gripping means.

9. A collapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising a body portion forming part of the surface of the block and fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of the block, a pair of oscillatory .segments positioned symmetrically with respect to the said body portion, each segment being pivotally attached to the body portion at one edge and provided on the opposite edge with alternate recesses and projections, the

recesses and projections on the oppositely supported segments being disposed in staggered relation, and link members pivotally mounted in the said recesses and adapted to cooperate with the said body portion and segments to form a substantially smooth cylindrical .surface when the block is expanded.

10. Acollapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising a body portion forming part of the surface of the block, a pair of like oscillatory segments positioned symmetrically. with respect to said body portion and pivotally attached thereto at one edge, each segment being provided on its opposite edge with alternate recesses and projections and having circumferentially extending reinforcing ribs on its inner surface, the said recesses and projections being staggered with respect to the recesses and projections on the other segment and having curved'inner surfaces, a series of link members pivotally mounted at one end in the said recesses in the edge of each segment with the other ends of the link members of both series pivotally connected to a common pivot shaft, said link members being adapted to cooperate with said segments and body portion to form a substantially smooth cylindrical surface when the block is expanded, and means within the block operatively connected with said pivot shaft and adapted to impart radial motion thereto to expand and collapse the block..

11. A collapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising a body portion forming part of the surface of the block, a pair of like oscillatory segments positioned symmetrically with respect to the said body. portion and pivotally attached thereto at one edge, each segment being provided on its opposite edge with alternate recesses and projections, the said recesses and projections being staggered with respect to the recesses and projections on the other segment and having curved inner surfaces tapering towards the edge, a series of link members pivotally mounted at one end in the said recesses in the edge of each segment with the other ends of the link members of both series pivotally connected to a common pivot shaft, each of said links-having a smooth curved external surface portion adapted to cooperate with the external surfaces of the other links and the segments and the body portion to form a substantially smooth cylindrical coiling surface when the block is expanded, and having the end pivoted in a segment recess thicker longitudinally of the -block than the end connected to the said common pivot shaft, and having a shoulder-like projection extending from the thicker end parallel and adjacent to the thinner end and adjacent the external side of the link, the shoulder-like projections on adjacent link members and the said projections on the oscillatory segments defining the outer limits of socket-like spaces surrounding the said common pivot shaft between pairs of link members connected thereto, an actuating member having apertured extensions engaging the said common pivot shaft within said socket-like spaces, and a longitudinally movable shaft connected through pivoted toggle links with said actuating member and adapted to impart radial motion thereto, whereby the block is expanded and collapsed.

12. In a collapsible block for coiling strips of metal or the like, a section forming part of the surface of the block and mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the block and parallel with the axis of rotation thereof, a series of link members pivotally connected to said section adjacent a longitudinally extending edge thereof, a second surfaceforming section of the block having a second series of link members pivotally connected to a longitudinally extending edge thereof, a pivot member interconnecting both of said series of link members, and means movable in a plane perpendicular to the direction-of rotation of said block for imparting substantially radial motion to said pivot member to expand and collapse the block.

13. Apparatus for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising a collapsible block having a body portion forming part of the coiling surface of the block and fixed with respect to the axis of rotation thereof, elements in pivoted connection with said body portion and adapted to cooperate therewith to form a substantially smooth cylindrical coiling surface when the block is expanded, a drive shaft rigidly attached to the said body portion of the block and adapted to impart rotary motion to the block, and means mounted within said shaft for movement longitudinally thereof to actuate said elements into expanded and collapsed positions.

14, Apparatus for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising a collapsible block having a body portion adapted to formpart of the coilin surface of the block and fixed with respect to the axis of rotation thereof, oscillatory segments pivotally attached at one edge to said body portion and pivotally attached at their opposite edges to link members adapted to cooperate with said segments and body portion to form a substantially smooth cylindrical coiling surface when the block is expanded, a hollow drive shaft formed integrally with the said body portion, a slide shaft mounted for longitudinal movement through said hollow drive shaft and extending within the said block and operatively connected with the said link members, and means for imparting longitudinal motion to said slide shaft to expand or collapse the block.

15. Apparatus for coiling strips of metal or the like, comprising a collapsible block having a body portion fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of the block coiling surface of the block, a pair of oscillatory segments pivotally attached to 'said body portion-in symmetrical relation thereto, a series of link members pivotally attached to each of said segments and adapted to cooperate with said body portion and said segments to form a substantially smoothcylindrical coiling surface when the block is expanded, the two series of link members being interconnected by a common pivof; member; a hollow drive shaft rigidly connected to said body portion and adapted to impart rotary motion to the block, a slide shaft extending axially through said ,hollow drive shaft and into the block and having toggle link members pivotally connected thereto within the block, an actuating member secured to the said common pivot member and also pivotally attached to the said toggle link members, said toggle link members being rotatable about their pivotal axes into a substantially radial position to expand the block, and into an inclined position to collapse the block, and means external to said block and drive shaft for imparting longitudinal movement to the slide. shaft.

16. In apparatus for coiling strips of metal and the like, a collapsible block having a pair of surface-forming segments pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally and forming part of the of the block and parallel with the axis of rotation thereof, a series of link members pivotally connected to each of said segments adjacent a longitudinally extending edge thereof and interconnected with the other series by a common pivot member, a hollow drive shaft rigidly secured to said block, a slide shaft extending through said drive shaft and into said block and mounted for longitudinal movement, an actuating member within the block connected to said common pivot member, a plurality of toggle links pivotally attached at one end to said slide shaft and at their other ends to said actuating member and rotatably movable into positions substantially radial of the block and positions inclined thereto, operating mechanism for imparting longitudinal motion to said slide shaft, and means associated therewith for stopping said motion when the said toggle links are moved into substantially radial position and the block is expanded.

GARDNER L. WINTERS. 

